puppy
UK[ˈpʌpi]US[ˈpʌpi]
n
A young dog.
Etymology
The word 'puppy' entered English in the late 15th century, originally referring to a small dog kept as a lady's pet or lapdog. Its semantic journey is charmingly indirect: it stems from the Middle French 'poupée' (doll or plaything), reflecting the perception of a small, toy-like dog. This French term evolved from the Latin 'pūpa', meaning a girl or a doll, which is also the root for the English word 'puppet'. Thus, the modern meaning of a young dog carries the historical connotation of something small, endearing, and doll-like, a companion for play and affection.
Analysis
The word 'puppy' is a simplex word. It is derived from the Middle French word 'poupée', meaning 'doll' or 'toy', which itself comes from Vulgar Latin 'puppa', a form of Latin 'pūpa' meaning 'girl, doll'.
Examples
We are going to pick up our new puppy from the breeder this weekend.
The children were delighted by the playful puppy chasing its tail.
Training a puppy requires a lot of patience and consistency.